Fast forward 25 years to the day, and Disney’s The Princess Diaries remains an untouchable, multi-generational comfort classic. Directed by the late Garry Marshall, the film didn’t just give audiences foot-popping romance and iconic quotes—it officially launched Anne Hathaway into global superstardom as Mia Thermopolis alongside the legendary Dame Julie Andrews.
As fans celebrate a quarter-century of Genovian royalty, foot-massagers, and peerless Y2K nostalgia, one major question lingers over the fandom: When are we finally getting The Princess Diaries 3?
While Disney has officially greenlit the project, recent news regarding Queen Mia herself means fans will have to exercise a bit more royal patience than originally expected.
A Royal Pause: Anne Hathaway’s Pregnancy Announcement
While creative development on The Princess Diaries 3 has been making steady progress, the production timeline has officially shifted following a joyous personal milestone: Anne Hathaway is expecting her third child.
In June 2026, the 43-year-old Oscar winner took to Instagram to reveal her pregnancy bump with husband Adam Shulman. Between navigating a mammoth 2026 promotional run for blockbuster projects like The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2, Hathaway is now preparing to expand her family.
Naturally, welcoming a newborn means camera dates for The Princess Diaries 3 will be pushed back to allow Hathaway well-deserved time for maternity leave and her growing family before donning the crown once more.
Where Does ‘The Princess Diaries 3’ Script Stand?
The delay isn’t all bad news—in fact, the creative engine behind the scenes is stronger than ever.
Director Adele Lim (Joy Ride, Raya and the Last Dragon) is attached to direct from a script by Flora Greeson, with Hathaway serving as both star and producer. Just prior to her pregnancy announcement, Hathaway revealed during press appearances that the team recently achieved a crucial “story breakthrough” after reworking the concept:
“We had a story breakthrough, and we are moving in the right direction,” Hathaway shared. “We kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”
When Will the Film Hit Theaters?
With Hathaway taking time off for her third child and the script undergoing its final polishes, pre-production will likely not begin until mid-to-late 2027.
- Filming Window: Expected late 2027 or early 2028.
- Projected Release Date: Realistically, The Princess Diaries 3 is aiming for a late 2028 theatrical release.
Who Is Returning to Genovia?
While plot details remain locked inside the royal vault, key updates include:
- Anne Hathaway (Mia Thermopolis): Confirmed to lead the film as a mature Queen Mia balancing royal duties with new chapters of motherhood—a storyline that may mirror Hathaway’s real-life family expansion.
- Chris Pine (Lord Nicholas Devereaux): Pine has repeatedly signaled his willingness to return as Mia’s swoon-worthy love interest, provided the story honors Garry Marshall’s original legacy.
- Dame Julie Andrews (Queen Clarisse): While Andrews has previously noted the difficulty of doing a sequel without Garry Marshall, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for at least a regal cameo or voiceover.
Worth the Wait
While waiting until 2028 for a third installment might feel daunting, Princess Diaries fans know that good things take time. We toast 25 years of mustard-and-M&M pizza slices, foot pops, and Genovian pride today.
